Survey Findings

Last week Alan and I had our pastoral staff over to talk about the complete survey findings of the questions asked to the University of Heidelberg Students. I thought our blog readers might enjoy seeing them as well.

Here were the questions with corresponding results:

What is your spiritual background?
Protestant - parents only - 33% **
Catholic - parents only - 25% **
Protestant/Christian/Lutheran somewhat engaged - 18%
Agnostic - 4%
Atheist - 4%
Catholic/Christian somewhat engaged - 2%
Orthodox - 2%
Buddhist - 2%
Muslim - 2%
None - 2%
Students claiming NO spiritual affiliation currently = 68%

What three words would you use to describe your religious experience to date?
Hope x3
Moral
Blind
What Saved me
Worldwide
Strong
Unspiritual
Sensible
A Business
Close minded
Love x4
Supportive
Belief x3
Life Help
Serious
Just
Private
Hypocritical
Developing
Unbelievable x2
Problematic
Faith
Non-religious
Not present
Liberal
Informative
Uninteresting
Far away
Just
Important
Colorful
Irrelevant x3
Holy
Love
Non-attending
Trust
Peace
Impalpable
Outdated
Holy Spirit
Experienced
Nothing
Unsecure Knowledge
Background
Minimized
Non-existent
Useful Sometimes
Traditional
Unbelieving
Strength x2
Changing
Influential
Un-meaningful
Necessary
Joy
Real
Good
Complex
Hope
Salvation
Unimportant
Needed
Interesting
Old-Fashioned x2
Help
Cultural
Ritualistic
Tolerance x3
Agnosticism x2
Difficult
God
Eternal Life
Skeptical
Problematic
Less Freedom
Helpful
Jesus-Centered

If you could ask God one question, what would you ask Him?
How did you create the universe?
Why did you make us the way he did?
Is there life elsewhere in the Universe?
Why was I born in this country and believe in Christianity instead of in another country believing in something else?
How did you create such a wonderful world?
Why are there so many differences amongst people?
What's the purpose of nasty things in life like insects?
Why are we here? (multiple)
What's His plan for us and the world? (multiple)
What is the purpose of life? (multiple)
Is this what life is supposed to be like?
Why did you make war?
Why don't you always give me good things?
What does the future hold? (multiple)
Why do we die?
What happens when we die?
Will we realize peace one day?
Was there a Jesus?
What do you think about?
Why doesn't God show himself if He's there?
What does God think of Humans?

If God asked you why He should let you into Heaven, what would you say?
Because he or she is a good person 38%
Every human should be allowed to go because there is something good in everyone 12%
Because of Jesus 10%
Believes in God 10%
It depends on the qualifications for Heaven 4%
He should choose as He wishes 4%
He/she knows they are too secular to qualify 4%
There is no heaven 4%
Because he's human 2%
Because she's interested in seeing what's there 2%
Will have done something good by then to change Gods mind 2%
Heaven would not be complete without Him 2%

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your goodness?
10 – 0%
9 – 2%
8 - 25%
7 - 38%
6 - 8%
5 - 16%
below 5 - 2%
3 would not answer due to not having, knowing or recognizing a standard of goodness

Why?
A good person, better than most
Helps others
She sometimes lies and thinks it’s not ok to lie
Has a dark side
Not a criminal
No one’s perfect
Not selfish
Could do more
Not very bad but not trying to be good
She’s human
Would rate higher but doesn’t want to appear pompous
Goal to be like Christ, motivation is different than it was
Tries to put others first
Keeps Gods commandments